Naruto stretched his limbs; they were stiff from him sitting still for so long. Tree leaves surrounded him and branches were sticking into his back. The night was still and cold, a slight breeze caused him to shiver slightly interrupting his thoughts.
He hadn't been able to sleep properly for years now but it was a different problem keeping him up tonight. He missed the village, he missed his home, he missed Kakashi, Sakura, Iruka Sensei and even Granny Tsunade. As much as it hurt not having Sasuke around he didn't realise how hard it was living in isolation the way he had been. His mind wasn't the same as it was when he left and he sure as hell couldn't put up with only his own company for the rest of his life.
He also missed being a ninja, the adrenaline rush of the eventful missions, the indescribable feeling of bliss when a mission was successful or after he had beaten a particularly challenging enemy, the wind in his hair as he raced his comrades and being able to brag about the awesome new jutsu he learnt before showing it off to all his friends watching their faces look upon him with awe and pride.
Friends..friends I will never see again if I fail to bring him back.

Naruto couldn't pinpoint exactly when he had stopped trying. But he guessed it was a short while after he had seen Sasuke again. One minute they were fighting and the next minute he was lying in the dirt aching all over. "Please Sasuke..just come home eh buddy" Naruto had made a weak attempt to smile up at the sneering teenager who had made him feel like a useless genin all over again beating him as easily as he had, although technically he was still a genin there was no one in the hidden leaf village or anywhere in the world that actually thought he deserved a status that low.
Sasuke had just smirked, looking so cool as he always did. He always made Naruto look and feel like a clumsy fool. "You're as weak as always. Naruto" he had said before turning on his heel. Only looking back once more to ask "When will you give up on this dream of yours to bring me back, Loser"? Although it had sounded on the surface as mean and cold as everything that came out of Sasuke's mouth Naruto had heard a touch of sympathy behind his voice, almost like he felt sorry for him. If there was one thing Naruto couldn't stand it was his rival feeling sorry for him.
I was no match for him. When the hell did he get that strong?

The complete silence and serenity of the night was interrupted by a crack, hushed whispers and the crunching of leaves. Naruto tensed.
I have a really bad feeling about this.
Hidden in his spot in the tree Naruto peered through the leaves at four men standing over his silver haired travel companion. His heart in his throat Naruto continued watching them suspiciously.
Sensei
He heard one of them utter the word "attack" and that was that. Naruto appeared in front of a sleeping Kakashi. He glared at the offending ninja, eyes narrowed and lips curled back.
He practically snarled at them
"What the hell do you want with my Sensei?"